While we were yet boys, he was already a big man. Blessed he was with that attribute that society expect to manifest in a man after he must have acquired wealth and risen to the top echelon of the society. But in his yellow shirt and green shorts (years before he played a major role in the rebellious graduation of our set to trousers-clad seniors) his characteristic laughter and jovial mien had distinguished him.
Many of us did have distinct physical features that not only stood us out but also earned us nicknames that were derogatory and and made us targets of taunts and akoti among the rambunctious bunch that was the 84/90 set of Aquinas College Akure, but that was not the case with him. His unique attribute never qualified him to be ridiculed, rather it posited him as a prime instigator of many akoti sessions as he was always on the band of the alakotis.
In those days, many akoti episodes would result in physical altercations but I cannot recall him being involved in a brawl. He was by no measure a comedian nor clown but there was something about his jovial visage that would disarm a pained akoti victim when his eyes are locked with the eyes of Omololu Ogzy Oyejide.
He was a popular guy. I still remember his conspicuously tailored “senior man” green trousers that launched our trouser-wearing days as seniors in ACA. Though he neither played football nor engaged in athletics, the popular sports of our days. He was an excellent player of cricket, a sport that our school was reputed for in the selective league of school cricket of those days whereas most of us never paid attention to the sport. He was an outlier of some sort.
The last time I saw him was about 5 years ago. It was the season of nasty evening traffic in Lagos. I had opted to chill and get some refreshment after work while I waited out the traffic at the Costain Star arcade, Iganmu in company of some of my colleagues. I heard him before I saw him. I was drawn to the laughter emanating from a table not far from me. The distinct big man’s laughter had undoubtedly been polished but the originality was unmistakable even in the midst of all the noise and blaring music. Yes, the laughter had come full circle with the big man that he had become but the heartiness and conviviality of that boy from ACA had not left him. I remarked, “Ogzy, you never change o” and he responded that what will I have him change to, that wholesome grin never leaving his face for a single moment. We bantered for about an hour before I departed to continue my journey home.
Now, the die is cast. A crest is fallen. Otunba Ogzy Omololu Oyejide has bided the world bye in his prime. I’m sure that he is now unfazed and untouched by any assertion and postulation of political preferences propounded by his peers on our Whatsapp platform that many a times had tethered on the edge of insults and vitriolic attacks all in the bid to outscore one another in political pugilism. But I must admit it had all been in line with the akoti days of old where Ogzy himself held sway. However, it is quite remarkable that sincethe election results were released, there has been some swift but suave manner of reconciliation on the platform as thehitherto political pugilists have reshuffled back to status quo in a vindication of the Ogzy spirit of camaraderie, “no victor, no vanquished”.
Sadly, the world will no more know the irrepressible and wholesome laughter of Omololu Oyejide but we definitelyknow what we know. Ogzy will forever be an unforgettableingredient in the brew of our brotherhood.
Rest In Peace, dear fallen brother.
Long Live Aquinas College 1984/90 set.
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